A pet's day at the beach

By Shirley MiyaharaGuest Columnist

Tuesday

Jun 25, 2013 at 12:01 AMJun 25, 2013 at 4:46 PM

I love the summer. One of my favorite things to do is go to the beach. Even though the sun isnít really good for our skin, I enjoy the feel of it when I lay on the beach. And, of course, I like to take my dogs with me to the beach.

I even took them this past winter. I had gone to a dog show at the convention center in Wildwood NJ, and after the show I let my dogs run on the beach. They had a blast. It was extremely cold, and there was snow on the sand, but they did not care at all. They ran like crazy, they dug in the sand, pick up shells in their mouth, and even went into the cold water.

But of course the beach is much more fun in the summer. There are some great places to go to along the Jersey Shore which allow you to bring your dog.

On Brigantine Beach, dogs are allowed on the beach from Oct. 1 to May 29 as long as they are on a leash no longer than 6 feet. They are allowed on the North End beach anytime but the same leash rule applies.

On Long Beach Island at Branch beach there is a dog park. It is on the north side of Bay View Park. There is fencing that goes from dunes to the water so that the dog can run free.

I personally have not been to either of these beaches, but several of my friends have and were very happy with their experience. Last winter I took my dogs to the beach at North Wildwood. I believe there the dogs are only allowed on the beach in the off season. It was very dog-friendly with clean bags provided in the parking area.

I also have taken my dogs to Island Beach State Park in Seaside Park. There is a flat fee to enter the park. It includes use of a really nice bathhouse and covers the cost of your beach tag for the day. Dogs are only allowed on the non-recreational beaches year round on a leash no longer than 6 feet. There is no lifeguard, so you are swimming at your own risk.

I usually bring a ball for my dogs and, if the beach isnít too crowded, we play fetch. I bend the 6-foot leash rule just a little by letting my dog run dragging it behind them, or I use a 30-foot training leash.

Bring bags to clean up after your dog. I canít stand people who do not clean up after their dogs. They make all dog owners look bad.

Also be sure to bring plenty of fresh water and sunscreen for both for yourself and your dog. My dogs get really hot in the sun. Watch your dog for signs of heat exhaustion. The symptoms include rapid breathing, heavy pant, and salivation. Other signs are fatigue, muscle tremors, and staggering when walking. If your dog gets overheated, apply wet cool towels to lower the dogís body temperature. Do not apply very cold towels; you do not want to shock the dogís body by lowering the temperature rapidly. And of course get your dog to the vet.

I bring an umbrella so that they have shade. You really do need to protect your dog from the sun. Dogs do sunburn, some breeds more than others. Breeds that have less hair are more affected by the sun then breeds with dense coats. Of course dogs like Chinese Crested and Xoloitzcuintli (Mexican hairless) need to definitely be protected from the sun. Usually the shorter the hair and the lighter the color the more the dog will be prone to sunburn. So take along some sunscreen for your dog.

Be sure to purchase sunscreen from a pet store. Do not use people sunscreen. Some of the ingredients, like zinc oxide, in human sunscreen may cause sickness when ingested by your dog.

Some popular brands of pet sunscreens that are available are made by a company called Epi-pet and GNC pets.

Be sure to protect the areas of your pet that are most sensitive such as the bridge of the nose, the tips of the ears, the under belly and the inside of their legs.

If your dog should get sunburned you can cool down his skin with cool water or apply 100 percent aloe vera. I usually buy the aloe vera from the natural food store, the kind that is made to drink. If the burns are severe and have blisters, take your dog to the vet. Your dog may need an antibiotic cream.

It also is a good idea to bring along eye saline or artificial tears. My dogs get the sand all over them when they dig, so I like to be able to rinse their face and eye area. When you get home be sure to wash your dog thoroughly. Leaving the salt water and sand in their coat can cause skin irritation. I usually rinse my dogs off first with the hose, and then into the bath tub they go.

It sounds like a lot of work to take your dog to the beach. But once you get organized it is well worth it . You will have a great time!

Shirley Miyahara is a certified pet dog trainer who resides in Langhorne. She works part-time at Canine Academy in Penndel. She is an American Kennel Club canine good citizen evaluator and she writes on Tuesdays. Shirley can be reached at k9shirley@yahoo.com.

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